Summer holidays are here and young minds are seeking inspiration, knowledge, and as much TV and ice cream as they can get away with! We think it's the perfect time to inspire the children and encourage them to aspire to be the next David Attenborough, or whoever the "youth" YouTube equivalent is today! Young minds are passionate, caring and interested, ready to learn. This summer holidays why not print out the bee identification guide above and take it out with you for a game of spot the bee, they won't even realise they're learning about the 250+ species of wild bees we have in the UK alone, and if the reward for a full house comes in a cone and melts in the sun then all the better for our budding wildlife enthusiasts!   If you head over to the Wild about Gardens website you'll discover a Wild Bee action kit which is packed with facts and information and even a guide to making your own solitary bee hotel, let those bees come to you to be spotted! Kids (and grown ups) will love watching the bees nest and looking out for full cavities and bees carrying leaves they've cut themselves! Download the Wild Bee action kit here   Read about gardens you can visit to play spot the bee here   Shop Green&Blue's collection of bee houses here.

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_x000D_ _x000D_ “Last year’s Seaside Saturday was such a success, and a much-loved gathering of friendly faces and new acquaintances, that we decided to host another this summer.” Said Gemma Teague from Atlantic Blankets._x000D_ _x000D_ "The summery vibe will include special offers on picnic blankets, bee bricks, plant holders, and Really Big Bubbles will be outside demonstrating their amazing bubble wands, plus we will be raising money for the wonderful Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club.”_x000D_ _x000D_

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  Get involved with the Great British Bee Count from Friends of the Earth. To celebrate we're running a photo competition right up until the count finishes on 30th June. To enter simply send us your stunning bee photo's. Find full details of the competition on our bee photo competition page.   On this photo gallery page we'll be sharing entries so far and we'd love your comments about which photo's you love, and how many bees you've been counting for the #GreatBritishBeeCount!   [caption id="attachment_6535" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Sheena Batey entry via twitter[/caption]     [caption id="attachment_6534" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Cynthia Davies entry via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6533" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Cynthia Davies photo competition entry[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6532" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Cynthia Davies entry via email[/caption]   Cynthia Davies via email   [caption id="attachment_6531" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Claire Davies entry via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6529" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Purple Vegan entry via twitter[/caption]   Shannan Grierson via email   [caption id="attachment_6865" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Babylee30 via Instagram[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6866" align="aligncenter" width="500"] tropic_ellie via instagram[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6867" align="aligncenter" width="500"] raachelbboboe via instagram[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6868" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Debsroon via Instagram[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6869" align="aligncenter" width="500"] kspeechly93 via instagram[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6870" align="aligncenter" width="500"] debsroon via Instagram[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6871" align="aligncenter" width="500"] smeebee via instagram[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6872" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lindsey Martyn via Instagram[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6873" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lauren Hatt via twitter[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6874" align="aligncenter" width="500"] orange blossom via twitter[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6875" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Sian Hallewell via twitter[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6876" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Paula Walls via twitter[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6877" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Simon Gooding via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6878" align="aligncenter" width="500"] simon gooding via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6879" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Debs and Ellis via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6880" align="aligncenter" width="500"] debs and ellis via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6881" align="aligncenter" width="500"] jessica mather via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6882" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Elizabeth Barrett via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6883" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Kirsty macdonald via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6884" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Alison via twitter[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6885" align="aligncenter" width="500"] John Charters via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6886" align="aligncenter" width="500"] David Truelove via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6887" align="aligncenter" width="500"] David Truelove via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6996" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lisa Anderson via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6997" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lisa Anderson via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6998" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lisa Anderson via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6999" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lisa Anderson via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7000" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lisa Anderson via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7001" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Zoe Freedman via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7002" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Colette Mackay[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7003" align="aligncenter" width="500"] April Haddock via twitter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7004" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lauren Hatt Via twitter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7005" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lauren Hatt via twitter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7006" align="aligncenter" width="500"] April Haddock via twitter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7007" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Saz mills via twitter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7008" align="aligncenter" width="500"] April Haddock via twitter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7009" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Debra Johnson via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7010" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Debra Johnson via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7011" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Paul Blackbourn via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7012" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Paul Blackbourn via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7013" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Paul Blackbourn via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7014" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Paul Blackbourn via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7015" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Jocelyn Bennet via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7016" align="aligncenter" width="500"] April Colley via email[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_7021" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Zee61 Via Instagram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7022" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Spud boy whizz via instagram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7023" align="aligncenter" width="500"] abrammag via instagram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7024" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Imustbemadbe via Instagram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7025" align="aligncenter" width="500"] spud boy whizz via Instagram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7026" align="aligncenter" width="500"] KittyKat41 via twitter[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7027" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Gill Colling via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7028" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lucy Underwood via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7029" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Paul Blackbourn via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7030" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Linda Tait via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7031" align="aligncenter" width="500"] natalie Jones via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7032" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Joanne Beale via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7033" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Lisa Williams via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7034" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Sallyann Johnston via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7035" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Sallyann Johnston via email[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7036" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Adrian Bold via email[/caption]     OH NO! Now we have to choose a winner!! We could really do with your help. Take a browse through the gallery and leave us a comment telling us which photo you like best - make our job a little easier!! We think you'll agree there are so many stunning entries so we really do need a hand!

The State of Nature report brings together data and expertise from over 50 organisations, providing an update on how wildlife is faring across the UK, and its seas, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.  

  This is the foreword in the State of Nature report 2016 from Sir David Attenborough.   The first State of Nature report that I helped to launch in 2013 revealed the severe loss of nature that has occurred in the UK since the 1960s. Three years on, I am pleased to see that the partnership of organisations behind that important report has grown. Thanks to the dedication and expertise of many thousands of volunteers working closely with the professionals, we are now able to document even more about the changing state of nature across our land and in our seas. The news, however, is mixed. Escalating pressures, such as climate change and modern land management, mean that we continue to lose the precious wildlife that enriches our lives and is essential to the health and well-being of those who live in the UK, and also in its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories. Our wonderful nature is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before. But the State of Nature 2016 report gives us cause for hope too. The rallying call issued in 2013 has been met with a myriad of exciting and innovative conservation projects. Landscapes are being restored, special places defended, and struggling species are being saved and brought back. Such successes demonstrate that if conservationists, governments, businesses and individuals all pull together, we can provide a brighter future for nature and for people.  

Read the full report here

Read more about solitary bees here

Read more about what you can do in your own back garden here.

  On Friday 24th March Green&Blue were delighted to attend the private view of the new exhibition by Cornish legend, artist and campaigner Kurt Jackson. 'Bees (and the Odd Wasp) in My Bonnet' is described as a unique presentation of contemporary art and science and arrives at the Jackson Foundation Gallery in St Just, near St Ives, from its initial prestigious opening at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (where it attracted over 100,000 visitors).     The exhibition will now run to the 19th August 2017.   Upstairs at the gallery the charity space has been given over to two bee friendly charities, B4 - Bring Back Black Bees and Friends of the Earth, who lead many of the bee campaigns in the UK. Friends of the Earth very kindly asked us to curate a display of bee bricks to demonstrate ways in which loss of habitat can be addressed. Visitors will find a large central display wall made completely from bee bricks. It's fantastic to sit within what will be a mecca for bee and art lovers alike. Cornwall Wildlife Trust are also working with the Jackson Foundation and will be leading bee walks, amongst other things.     The private view was attended by some of the great and the good of the bee world, including Dave Timms from Friends of the earth, who gave an impassioned and inspiring 'call to action' speech on behalf of the bees and Michael Eavis who is the patron of B4. On theme drinks were supplied by Skinners brewery in the form of Hops and Honey - very apt!     If you can then make sure you go along and visit the exhibition before it ends. Kurt Jacksons' artwork perfectly captures the movement, beauty and humour of bees and we're certain you'll come out inspired to do more and think more about these beautiful winged creatures, on whom we rely for so much.     Find out more about the Jackson Foundation and opening hours here.   See more images of the opening night on the Jackson Foundation Facebook page here. Images courtesy of Friends of the Earth.